Fort Bend ISD is apologizing after contracted security guards ordered poll workers and campaign supporters to leave a designated polling location at James Bowie Middle School, even though no rules were being broken.

The guards also removed election signs from the site and threatened to destroy them, according to accounts first reported by KPRC 2. The district said the guards involved have received corrective action and will no longer work security at any Fort Bend ISD polling location.

Linda Morgan said she was outside the school greeting voters and holding a sign supporting her son, State Rep. Matt Morgan, when a security guard approached and demanded she leave. Morgan said she offered to put her sign in her car.

"If I put my sign in my car, will I be allowed to stay?" she recalled asking. "He said, 'No, you're on school property. You need to leave immediately.'"

Morgan said she was more than 100 feet from the polling location, well beyond the legally required buffer. She complied.

Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Cantu said her party's workers faced a similar confrontation. When a poll worker asked to hold on to signs until candidates could retrieve them, Cantu said the guard responded: "No, we're going to destroy them."

Cantu said poll workers are permitted two signs per polling location.

Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith and Board President Kristin Tassin issued a formal apology, according to KPRC 2. The district's statement called the guards' conduct "overzealous behavior" that does not reflect how the district oversees elections in partnership with the Fort Bend County Elections Office.

The district said it is continuing to investigate and will reevaluate its relationship with the security company. Fort Bend ISD has not identified the company or the guards involved, KHOU reported.

District 26, which covers parts of Fort Bend County including Cinco Ranch and surrounding communities, is on the Nov. 3 ballot. Matt Morgan, a Republican first elected in 2024, faces Democrat Eliz Markowitz.

Early voting in Fort Bend County continues through Oct. 30. Fort Bend County voters can report polling problems by emailing [email protected].